Thursday, March 8, 2012

Eschines Pierson Matthews (1832-1913)

Portrait from the Pioneer History of Milwaukee, Volume IV, 1886.

Today's write-up centers on the life of the oddly named Eschines Pierson Matthews, a native Ohioan who sought his business and political fortunes in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Eschines ( "E.P", as most sources refer to him) and his brother Alonzo were the founders of the famed Matthews Bros. Furniture Company, one of the most prominent furniture manufacturing houses in the United States during the 19th century. While this fact alone makes Eschines Matthews a notable figure in Wisconsin history, it is his service as a Wisconsin state representative in the 1880s that earns him a place here! Considering that Matthews was a fairly prominent man in Milwaukee throughout the latter period of the 19th century, you'd figure that there would be at least one substantial biographical resource on him. Sadly this is not the case! Although there are a few brief mentions of him in various works chronicling Wisconsin history, the only one that can be considered "significant" is the 4th volume of the PioneerHistory of Milwaukee, published in 1886. The portrait of Matthews shown above was discovered in this book, as was a good majority of the information that constitutes his profile here! Born and raised in Ohio, Eschines Pierson Matthews birth took place in Painesville on September 11, 1832, the son of Anson and Betsy Durand Matthews. Eschines and his younger brother Alonzo (1835-1901) received their education in schools local to the Chagrin Falls area and later attended the Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio. When both brothers reached manhood they relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in June 1857 and soon set about establishing the Matthews name in local business circles. Within a few years of their resettlement, the Matthews brothers had built a prosperous furniture store on East Water Street in Milwaukee as well as a manufacturing facility on River Street. Eschines and Alonzo were joined in the business by a third brother, John Quincy Adams Matthews in 1867 and he soon became a full partner. The Matthews Bros. Furniture Company continued to grow throughout the 1870s and throughout that decade moved to larger quarters on more than one occasion. After two enlargements in 1879 and 1882, the company could boast of a payroll with over 200 men on it, and an incorporated capital of over $100,000 dollars. The Pioneer History of Milwaukee also gives note that the company show rooms were "filled with the most costly and elegant furniture to be found in the West, nearly all of which is the product of their own factory."A photograph of the Matthews Brothers building is shown below, as looked around the turn of the century.

With his name now firmly established in the Milwaukee business community, Eschines P. Matthews began to involve himself in city political affairs, and in 1878 was elected to a two year term on the Milwaukee Board of Aldermen. This was his first attempt at public office, and James Smith Buck, author of the Pioneer History of Milwaukee makes note of Matthews's disdain for political life, stating that "Indeed, such was the disgust engendered in his breast for anything remotely smelling of politics, by his short service in that body.......would tempt him to enter the arena of politics again". The above observation proved to be somewhat premature, as Matthews did indeed venture into the field of politics once again! In 1880 he ran for and was elected to a seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly as a Republican. The 1881 Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin lists Matthews as defeating his Democratic challenger (George P. Harrington) by a vote of 1492 to 941. During his one term he represented the 4th ward of Milwaukee County and served on the house committee on Charitable and Penal Institutions and chaired the committee on Cities. A roster from the 1881 session (with Eschines P. Matthews's name highlighted in yellow) has been provided below.

Eschines Matthews continued active involvement with his furniture company after his legislative term, and at the beginning of the 20th century the company began the manufacture and sale of furniture pieces designed by eminent American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Eschines himself died at age 81 on July 30, 1913 and the company experienced a dip in business in the years following his demise. The company eventually closed its doors in 1937 after eighty years of business. The obituary of Matthews shown below appeared in the Fond du Lac Daily Commonwealth on the day following his death. Curiously, it makes no mention of him having served a term in the Wisconsin legislature.

5 comments:

Enjoyed your history about E. P., I also had read about him in the Pioneer History of Milwaukee before your profile this year. Eschines was my Great Great Grandfather's nephew. His nickname, according to old family letters was "Tine" and my Great Grandfather Matthews named one of his son's the same, we called him Uncle Tine. Besides letters, there also are some photos, including one of their home in Milwaukee that was on Grand Avenue (W. Wisconsin Ave). A museum well worth a visit on the same street is the Pabst Mansion that is full of Matthews Brothers woodwork.Eschines probably was named after Aeschines, who was a famous Greek statesman and orator.T. J. Matthews

I wish you had not posted this as "Anonymous" as you and I are cousins. My Great Grandfather was also Gideon Matthews. The "Uncle Tine" you speak about was one of my grandfather's brothers (Levi (Lee) Alonzo Matthews)

i own quincey matthews first home in milwaukee wi.have been looking for realtives for 36 yrs.i have a picture of alonzo's girls ettie, minnie and ada plus other info you may like.will share same..pls be kind and contact me 414 241 9796 derek thanks so much.

Derek, I have a Matthews Bros. mahogany drop leaf dinning table that seats 12. It has the original brass manufacture plaque and casters and leaves, Bought it in Wisconsin in 1974 while in Air Force. Am down sizing and if you would like it for your home, email me at dleemd@gmail.com. Dwight.

To whom it may concern. I recently came into possession of an antique marking gauge tool marked p.matthews. I'm located in the greater Milwaukee area and wondering if this somehow belonged to the company or person. If anyone could provide information or would like to see pictures please email me at tkecti@yahoo.com